Cutting and folding machine



Pate nted flan. l7, I899.

' M. SPITZER.

CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1895.) (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet I.

ii 1 zililil WITNESSES-W V I INVJENETOHI No. 618,015. Patented Jan. l7, I899.

- M. SPETZER.

CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE. (Application filed Aug. '7, 1895..) (No Model.) 6 Sheis-Sheat 2.

/W/T/VES8ES: INVENTOH ys Zm KMW %bzm m. slams. Patented Jan. |7,' I899.

M. SPITZER.

CUTTING AND FOLDlNG MACHINE. (Application filed Aug. 7, 1895.)

(No Mdel.) s SheetsSheet 3.

v INVENTOI? d/wwfize Patented Jan. l7, H89 9 m. sisgiie.

M. SPITZER.

CUTTING AND FOLDENG MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1895.) (No Model.) B Sheets-Sheet 4.

r g Q lyi 'nwls/vron WITNESSES:

N0. 6I8,0|6. 'Patented Ian. l7, I899.

M. SPETZEH.

.CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1895.)

(N0 Mudel.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 5.

v a i li WITNESSES: 1 v llVl/E/VTOH Q 1;, Q: N 4 m (/QQajZZwv r M M4 0 I devices is regulated by the stroke of the said cross-beans 9* g", which is controlled by the adjusting mechanism, regulated by handwheel (1- as above described, and shown in Fig. 112.

To the cross-heads g" g are attached the shaft ii and the square bar .3, Figs. 4 and 5, which is reduced at the ends to form the pivots On each of these pivots is firmly mounted a toothed segment I, Fig. 2, whose cogs are received between ilieeogs of the corresponding segments 1 on the shaft H. Any slight turn of the shaft ll will by this arrangement produce an equal turn of the bar J, but in reverse direction. The gripping mechanism consists of two fingers. placed over each'other, the lower one, J5, being firmly screwed to Liz square bard, while the upper one, 5 is screwed to the loose ring it. I This ring is pro vided with asinailextension h' on which the spring Zi presses steadily, bringing the point h of the finger h to the point of the fi-ngerj and causing a sufficient pressure between the points of the two fingers to obtain a firm grip of the sheet X, which extends between them. placed along the shaft H and the square bar J, with suitable spaces between them, so that the sheet X is held at intervals across its.

width. As each of the fingers 71. is pressed down with the end of a separate spring h while the other end of said spring is screwed to the rod 3' whicnconnect-s the two crossheads and is bolted to the same, I produce a firm grip between each pair of fingers indep ;ndent from the other pairs.

In orderto further provide for theindependent action and the independent adjustmentof the upper set of fingers h and at thesarne time so arrange them that they may all be opened simultaneously byaslight turn of the shaft H and. closed independently by the action of their springs, the severalfingers h aresecured'to the rings 7L, loosely strung on shaft H, and, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the said rings are provided with lugs h, which receive between them the lugs h of the collars 72 Said collars are secured to the shaft H by means of pins h while the rings h are slipped upon the shaft and are turned therewith through the instrumentalityof the collars ii. A slight clearaneeis allowed between the inter-meshing lugs of the. rings and collars, so that the shaft ll may turn slightly without operating the fingers, and then by the engagement of the lugs of the collars with the lugs of the loose rings the several fingers 7: are simultaneously raised. The reaction of the springs 7L operates to turn the shaft H and close the fingers, each spring acting upon its own clutch mechanism and permitting the fingers'to separatelyadjust themselves, so as to insure a uniform gripping act-ion. The bevel-gears c and c on the shafis'C' C Fig. 1, drive theoevel-genrs c, which are rigid with the square shafnK, Figs-3 and 9. On the shaft K is slipped a double Pairs of these fingers are cam k with the yoke ll: between them.

This yoke (shown in Fig. 9 has a long slot fitting the twcsides of the ob of ca'm It, so that the cam is able to turn withoutaifecting the yoke k, and the yoke It can slide up or down on the cam is, but not sidewise. Af ter yoke It" is slipped on the hub of cam in the second cam 1.2 is slipped on the same hub and keyed to it. never change their relative position. hub of cam It has also a square bore fitting the sides of the square shaft K, 50 that it can slide forward and back, but will have to turn with the square shaft K. On the yoke /r are pivoted the rollers /."and It, and the cams 7c and 7a are so designed that they never lcavo their respective rollers 7. It. shaft K the cam It will press on the roller 7.; or bring the yoke down, and later on the cam 71: will press on the roller kand will raise the yoke. The shapes of the cams 7n and k are so designed that they do not hinder the action,

of each other; furthermore, after a quick down motion, follows a slow up one, and the yoke stops on its upper position before it will be pulled down again.

- The upper end of the yoke k is round and is received in the box 1.1 where one .part of the side pressure caused by the action of the cams is taken up, and the other part of the side pressure is taken up in the slot of the yoke filling sidewise the hub of cam 7r. Each yoke k is rigidly connected with the knifebar L, whose both ends slide in guidesl Z. The guide Z is part of the carriage M, while the guide Z is boiled to the; same in such a Way as to form a suitable slot to take in the end of the knife-bar-L.

The upper knife Z (see Figs. 4 and 9) is secured near its upper edge to the knife-bar by means of countersunk screws l a rigid adjusting-bar disposed within a groove provided in the knife-bar being adapted to bear against the lower portion of the upper knife throughout its length, while the adjustment of said bar and knife is secured by means of. a row of set-screws Z provided in the knife-bar and bearing upon the adjusting-ban.

By reason of the construction above described the upper knife, which is somewhat flexible and ordinarily would be liable to buckle, is reinforced and may be adjusted to engage the lower knife m'with the necessary force to secure a. clean cut of the goods. A lug Z provided upon the upper knife ex? tends down to the lower knife and serves as a guide for the edges of the knives, thereby preveutingthe overlapping thereof and resulting injury to said knives.

Consequently they will The lly turning the that the body of the upper knife is cut away,

except near the lower or cutting edge, so thatthe knife is thicker at the cutting edge than at any other portion. The lower knife m is mounted in the machine to form an obtuse interiofangle with the upper knife and its plane of movement, as shown more clearly its length, thereby secu ring a shearing act ion and a clean even cut of the goods. Inasmuch as the lower knife is disposed at an angle it is admirably adapted to withstandthe strain of the cutting action, and by reason of the close engagemeutof the surfacesof the knives it is maintained sharp for a considerable length of time.

Byforming the upper-knife with an extended or thickened edge, as above described, and

placing it with its cutting edge at an angle ii'ltll that Of the lower knifc,the body of which is angularly 'disposed, it will be seen that the two knives engage at any moment. only throughout a very small portion of their respective lengths, thereby greatly rcdlli'ing' the friction and force required to act unto the upper knife. In other words, these two knives engage each other at lhe time only wh n the small diamond-shaped areas are sum-es:

3o sively brought into contact as the upper knife is moved past the lower one, which obviously reduces the frictional Slllfil'jt (u gageinent which would be present wcro'tin- Ordinary form of knife employed. in addition the disposition of the lower knife at an angle facilitates grinding the same aml, furthermore, provides room for the movable scction 0! angle-iron n, which l will |nore fully describe. This movable sectioncm bodies the 40 means employed in my machine for securing the engagement of the goods with the edge of the lower knife at the moment of cutting, while permit-ting their disengagement'thcrefrom,whereby the gripping-lingers /t are polmitted to seize and draw out the goods al'lcr cutting. This resnltl have found highly advantageous in cuttingthe class of goods for -which my machine is particularly designed.

The lower knife is fastened to the carriage M b a row of screws in and thus the lower knife m can be adjusted by tho set-screws m theholes for the screws in being slotted.

'lhe carriage M, Fig. 3, has suitable arms m to reach halfway around the hub of cam 70', between the cam k'and the collar "',which latter is keyed to the hub of said cam is. On the carriage M are the boxes in, which serve as nuts for the spindles m. The other bearing m" of the spindle is bolted to the frame A, and between the two hearings is the collar of, rigid 0D the spindlci ()n one end of the spindle is keyed the bevel-gear m, which is driven from the corresponding, bevelgear m, Fig; 1, on the shaft, which has a square head m and can be reached with a suitable. key through the space formed by the same the carriage M,'which slides by I with the boxes N to receivethe lower ends of the studs on. These studs go through suitable holes at the end of the movable section a, which is clamped to the shoulder a? with the nutn. The stud 7t slipped through the eye of box n, which is firmly bolted to the knife-bar L. The upper end of the stud 11 carries the arm a", with the half-boxes n".

The sheet X is carried above the movable section it between the upper knife Z and the lower knife in, and aftereutting the knifebar L moves upward, and with it the knife 'lhc eye 11 will soon strike the leather cushion n and raise the stud n, and with it the anglo'iron o, lifting the sheet X off the edge of the lower knife, Fig 4, and enabling the lingers li'j' to take the edge of the sheet X between them, and to permit this the movable section is cut out at intervals, admitting the said lingers toclose and pullout the sheet to the required length. liy the downward motion of the upper knife the shoulder '11 will soon reach the stop n, replaeingthe sheet upon the edge of the lower knife on, and

. by further motion, Fig. 5, when the cutting ommences, ,lueye 11. will slide on the stud 1!.

"1'0 prevent the sheet from sliding back or its edge from turning upward, which would he the case when the cut is near the original fold or crease made when the material is folded after it is mamifz'letnred, a shaft is laid in the half-boxes 7!", Figs. '1, 4, and on which, between two collars, are the rings o, support ing the elastic pieces o and blades o'-', which latter are cut out to admit the lingers I of the gripping mechanism. edges of the blades o rest on the sheet, holding the same on the movablesection, and the position of this blade o is so arranged that the tendency of a back pull on the part of the sheet causes the blades o to clamp the movable section it, while any wrinkle in the sheet will lift the respective section of the blades 0 As the shaft() of the blades o and the movable section 1: are both mounted on the same studs '11, their relative position will not be affected by the' motion, of the kn'ifebar L, and neither by the motion of the st uds n. The end ofthe carriage M, Figs. 4 and 5, also forms a pair of half-boxes o, and the too The lower shaft 0 is carried in the same, on which are the lightrings o supporting the elastic pieces 0", the blade 0 ,:and the felt o. The adjustable weight o' will slightly press the oilsoaked felt o" to the edge of the upper knife F. By the down motion of the knife-bar the knife will slightly rub against the stationary oilsoaked felt o and voil its whole surface, re-

lieving the friction between the two knives,

keeping them cool and saving their edges.

The fingers of the gripping mechanism are the arms of the liy-whecl ll, and by lurningl always kept closed by the pressure of the 4 steels forcing the lever I up and turning the shaft II, the square bar J, the collars h on the shaft II, and through the clutches the loose rings,

pressing the springs it back and opening the fingers. As soon, however, as the thumb t' of the lever I passes the point of the cam L" the lever l is released and the tension of the springs 71. operates to close the fingers. The relative positions of the other'parts at the moment of closing the fingers is illustrated in Fig. 4. In the backward movement the thumb i will catch at i in the front edge of the cam, tipping it over the pivot i", and af-' ter releasing it the overweight 1" will bring the cam z in its original position, while the pin 5 takes up the pressure of the thumb i on the cam 2". At the back motion of the cross-heads g the roller 1, Fig. 5, which is pivoted on the lever 1 rolls up the cam 19, forcing the lever I up and opening the fingers, as before, and releasing the grip of the same from the sheet X. The cross-heads g and with them the gripping mechanism, move yet farther back, leaving the sheet X entirely, as shown by dotted lines, and the sheet X drops down to the table X by its own wcight and it is ready to be cutoff by the knives, which position is illustrated in Fig. o. The table X is kept aways-0m the gripping mechanism, enabling the latter to pass above the sheet X without touching the same. The cam 19, Figs. 3 and 5 is adjustable by means "of the grooved bars 1), thus forming a sliding guide, the square'head fitting in the groovcsof the said bars, and the stndand nut p The cross-heads flare further provided with the pistons 21, Fig. 2, on the piston-rods 12 which pistons are received in the cylinders p, compressingthe air in the cylinders, thereby providing an elastic cushion for the cross-heads and their attachments and aiding their return; The cylinders 19 are provided with air-holes, which can be in part orin whole closed by turning the covers 19 on the suitable-threads of the cylinder, whereby the tension of the inclosed air can be regulated. After the sheet X is cut off it is folded in its middle by bringing the folding-blade B, Fig. 3, between the rollers S S", which are geared together andto the shaft S by suitable gearing. (Notshown) This shaft has a pulleyB and is belted to the pulley B on the driving-shaft B. As is seen on the drawings, the rollers are driven in a direction to pull the sheet down the tablej'delivering the same to the fly The shaft 8 is in stationary'bearings, while the shaft 8 of the roller S is in movable bearings s sliding between the guides 8 The spring 8 presses against this bearing .9 bringing the roller S in close contact with the roller S. Should some thicker 'twecn theribs 1' of the cam r down.

part, such as wrinkles in the sheet, come. he'- twben the rollers, the roller S will give by compressing the spring s, and the tension of the spring is will bringthe roller S hack to its original position as soon as the heavier object passes the roller.

The light folding-blade R is stiffened by being screwed to the foldingbar '2', Figs. 6 and 7, which reaches across the machine and is firmly bolted to the lugs r r of the sliding pieces 7' 7' and they are guided by the lugs r of the castings r, and the latter are bolted to the sides of the frames A A. The sliding piece 1' is supported and moved by the pivot r, as follows: The belt R of the side frame A, Figs. 2 and 7, serves as a pivot for the toned to the same on one end, with the countersunk screw it and with the bolt R on the other end.

The rocking lever G has pivoted on its up per end the roller 2' and brings the same be- The forward swinging of the lever G forces the cam, and with itthe lever R and the folding-blade R, it is an adjust-able balance-weight on the arm R of the, lever R? and is so adjusted as to keep the lever and. its attachments always up. To get the proper height for the end of the cam R", the set-screw R is is used to receive the weight R and to stop its dowumotion at the proper place. The downreach of the folding-blade R can be ad'- just-ed with the bolt R in the slotted hole 7' of the cam R The fly is moved as follows: The roller e of the double lever B, Fig. 2, is pressed to the edge of the cam E by the press-spring e on the rod 6", and one end of the connectingrod 6 is pivoted to the upper end of the double lever e at 2 while the other end a is pivoted to the crank e This crank is keyed "to the fly-shaft T, which is provided with two lugs t, Fig. 3, to receive the fly-rod t, to which are bolted a number of wings 25 The upper ends of these wings F rest against the bar i which is bolted to the brackets i t. The fly-shaft is also provided with the balance- .weight 25 As soon as the roller edrops on the cam E the tension of the press-spring e comes in action by throwing the double lever 6 back, and through the aid at the connect- 4 lag-rod e and the crank e the fly-wings t are thrown down.

The cam E is set with a key and set-screw on the shaft '6 so that at the moment the rollers S S deliver the folded sheet the roller e drops on the cam E, and consequently the fly-wings t? place the sheet on the table U.

The resistance of the air will keep the sheet to the wings during the throw. The cam E brings the ily-wiugs I" back to the rod t to receive the next sheet.

The belt-shifter Y on the rod 1:, Figs, 1 and 2, is connected by means of the levers v and r to the rod r", ending at the place of the workman in a handle Y. 13y pushing the handle V toward the machine the 'machine is started, and by pulling it out the machine will stop.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The machine is iirst turned by hand so that the knives are open and the fingers of the gripping mechanism have just left the knife.

The end of the flexible sheet is pulled over the movable section n, under the blade o and over the edge of the lower knife 0;), and the driving-belt is then placed on the tight pulley. Atihe iirst revolution only the end of the sheet X is cut straight, and the upper knife rises and lifts by the studs 71 n the movable section a, the blade 0, and the now straight end of the sheet X. The leversG G swing forward, bringing the lingers of the gripping mechanism to the knives. The thumbi of the lever Istrikcs the cam L',whereby the lingers open and reach between the knives, under and above the end of the sheet lingers h'j. Now the levers G G are swinging back, carrying the gripping mechanism with them, and the fingers h j,with their firm grip on the s eet X, pulls the same out till the roller 1 of the lever I strikes the cam p, at which moment the fingers open again andas they move still backward leave the sheet entirely, which drops on the table X. The upper knife is at this moment brought down and cuts the sheet oil. The levers G G swing again toward themachine and bring the rollers r between the lugs 1" r of the cam R and force the folding arrangement down. The folding-blade willstrike the middle of the sheet X, which is at this time lying on the table X, and forces it between the rollers S S just at the moment when the fingers of the gripping mechanism drop again on the end of the sheet between the knives-that is to say, when the levers G G are ready and commencing their back motionwhich will bring the folding mechanism up again out of the way of the gripping mechanism. The rollers S will pull the sheet X from the table X, and the cam E will throw the fly at the proper time to take and deliver the sheet X on the table U.

Having thus .fullydcscribed my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. In a cutting-machine, the combination with a movable knife having an extended eutiiugcdge, of a second knife mounted adjacent to said movable knife having its body extending in a plane formingan obtuseinterior angle with the plane of movement of the first knife, the cutting edges of the said knives bcin g angular] y disposed with regard to each i The cam i drops the lever 1 closing the ism having movable fingers,

other, and means for effecting the movement of the first knife past the cutting edge of the other knife in a predetermined plane and in the same angular relation to said knife, substantially as described.

2. In a cutting-machine, the combination with a movable knife having an extended cuttingedge, of asecond knife mounted adjacent to said movable knife having its bodyextending in a plane forming an obtuse interior angle with the plane of movement of the first knife, the cutting edges of the said knives being angularly disposcdwith regard to each other, means for securing the adjustment of said knives toward each other, and means for-effecting the movement of the first knife past the cutting edge of the other knife in a predetermined plane and in the same angular relation to said knife, substantially as described.

I In a cutting-machine, the combination with stationary and movable cutters, of a cuttercleaning strip, and means forsupporting the same embodying a rock-shaft and connecting-arms, and a weight or equivalent means acting to press the strip against the knife, substantially as described,

4. In a machine of the kind specified the combination with alower stationary knife, of an upper movable knife, flexible arms pivoted to the frame of the machine and carrying at their lower ends an oilor situated adjacent to said movable knife, and devices acting upon said arms for holding said oiier yieldingly against said movable knife, substantially as.

described. I

5. In a machine of the ;kind specified the combination with a stationary knife,of a movable knife, a reciprocating gripping mechanism and a movable section a situated adjacent to the stationary knife and connected with the moving parts of the machine to be lifted when said gripping mechanism approaches the same and to descend when said gripping mechanism recedes, substantially ar described.

6. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with a stationary knife,of a movable knife, the reciprocating gripping mechanism, a movable section 21 situatedadjacent to said stationary knife and connected with the moving parts of the machine to be lifted and depressed by said moving parts of the machine as the reciprocatinggripping inecl1- anism advances and recedes and a plurality of blades 0 mounted upon the machine and yieldi'ngly held against said movable section, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the kind specified the combination with a'stationary knife, of amov-' able knife, a reciprocating gripping, mechana movable section nsituated adjacent to said stationary knife and having a notched or cut-away forward edge, connections between said section a and 'a source of power for moving said section a as the gripping mechanism recipromeme cates, and a pluralityof jricldingblades rest:

ing upon said movable section 11', substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the kind specified the combination with a stationary knife, of the reeiprocating gripping mechanism, a movable knife, a movable section a situated adjacent. to said stationary knife, and upright studs secured to said movable section 12 and connected with said movable knife, substantially as described.

i In a machine of the kind specified the combination with a statiouaryknife,ofa movable knife, a reciprocating gripping mechanism, anda movable section 22 situated adjacent to said stationary knife and connected with said movable knife, snbstantiallyas described.

i in a machine of the kind specified the combination with a stationary knife, of a reciprocating gripping mechanism, a movable knife, a movable section a situated adjacent to said stationary knife, a pluralit of blades yieldingly held against said-movable section It, studs 12 connected with said movable section 11' and with the support. of said blades, and a connection between said studs and said movable knife for moving the forinerby reason of the movement of the la ter, substantially as described.

ll. in a machine of the kind specified, a gripping amt carrying mechanism comprising in combinationa reciprocatingcarriage,shafts mounted upon said carriage and gearing between said shaits, a series of gripping-fingers rigidly mounted upon one of said shafts, and a series of enacting nipping-fingers loosely and independently mounted upon the other ofv said shafts, and a clutch mechanism between each of said loosely and independently mounted fingers and their shafts, and means forindependeutlypressingtheloosely-mounted fingers against. the rigidly-mounted fingers, substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a cloth-cutting machine, of a cloth-gripper comprising two parallel rock shafts each provided with gripping devices adapted to eoact to grip the cloth, tlngripping devices of one of said rock-shafts being loosely mount-ed upon said shaft by connections permitting slight rotary movement thereon independent of each other, and a spring acting on each of said grippers to force it toward the gripping devices of the other shaft, whereby each gripping device has an independentgrippingact'ion, substahtially as described.

115. In amachine of the kind specified a reeiproeating gripping mechanism consisting of a movableoarriage mounted upon the frame of the machine, a pivoted shaft 11' mounted upon said carriage, a plurality of fingers separatelyand rotat-nt-iy mounted upon said shaft II, a pluraiity of springs arranged to press each of said fingers downwardly, a plurality of cintch members. secured to said shaft ii and engaging each of said fingers and consist- .the path of said mounted to slide thereon,

tug ofsleeveshaving chi teh projections adapt ed to engage clutch projections on said fingers, and a shaft J carrying a plurality of on posing fingers pivoted to said carriage and geared to said shaft If, substantially as described.

1i. In a machine of the kind specified the combination with the folding-roilers, of a piv oted lever carrying a folding-blade, a groove or cam upon said lever, and a reciprocating member or leverhavinga projection adapted to enter said groove or cam, substantiaily as described.

15 In a machine of the kind specified the combination with the folding-rollers, ofepivotcd lever R carrying a folding-blade, the stationary and movable knives, reciprocating gripping mechanism, a movable member or lever 'for moving said gripping mechanism having a projection, and a groove or cam upon said folding-arm located in the path of said projection on said member or lever, substantialiy as described.

iii. In a machine of the kind specified the combinatiouwith the folding-rollers, of the pivoted lever R carrying a foldingblade, the stationary and movable knives, reciprocating gripping mechanism, the movable member or lever for moving said gripping mechanism, devices foradju'sting the extent of movement of said member or lover, a projection on said member or lever, and an adjustable cam mounted upon said lever R and located in projection, substantiaiiy as described.

w 17/ In a machine of the kind specified, the Cohrbination with the folding-rollers, of a pivoted lever B carryi ng a folding-biade,a groove or cant upon said lever R, a reciprocating member or lever G having a projection adapted to enter said groove or cam, devices for operating said-member. or lever G, a counterbalanciug-weight secured to said lever R and a stop to limit the upward movement of the outer or free end of said lever R substantially as described.

18. In a machine of the kind specified the combination with the frame, of a movablocarriago mounted thereon and carrying a stationary and a movable knife, devices for me"- ing said-carriage and for securing it in its adjustediposition, a reciprocating gripping mechanism, devices for regulating the extent of movement of said gripping inechanisnnand folding mechanism operated by the movement of said gripping mechanism, substantially as described.

19. In a machine of the kind specified the combination with the name, of a carriage mounted upon the frame and engaging said carriage, etationeryand movable knives upon. said carriage, gcarin g for operatingsaid movablo knife, a reciprocating gripping mechanmovingsaid grippingrnechanregulating the extent of movea folding mechanism operated ism,deviees for ism end'ior meet and an adj usting-screw ICC and controlled by said reciprocating gripping mechanism, substantially as described.

20. In a cloth-cutting machine, the combination with a reciprocating gripping device having upper and lower lingers, of a cutting device consisting of a stationary lower knife and a vertically-movable upper knife. a vertically-movable supporting-plate for the cloth located above the lower knife, and means for giving vertical vibratory movement to said supporti'ngplate, substantially as described.

21. In a cutting-machine, the combination with a gripping device adapted to seize and draw out the material to be cut, of a vertically-movable upper knife, and a coaeting stationary lower knife, a movable section or support whereon the material rests, said section beingplaced adjacent to said lower knife. and means for securing the movement of said section from and toward the lower knife as the upper knife is raised and lowered, substantially as described.

22. In a cutting-machine, the coi'nbination with the movable knife F, of the coacting lower knife m,means for actuating the knife 7 a reciprocating gripping mechanism adapted to seize and draw the material past the edge of the lower knife, and means for effecting the removal and replacement of the material upon the edge of knife m, whereby the grippers are enabled to seize said material and the same is thereafter smoothly cut; substantially as described. 7 23. Ina machine of the class described,the

combination with a stationary lower knife, of

5o able with respect to the lower knife adapted 'to permit the engagement of said material with the lower-knife edge at the moment of cutting, a folding-blade, and eoacting parts and means for securing the successive actuation of the several parts of the machine, whereby the material is cut into predetermined lcngths and folded, substnntiallyas described.

25. The combination with a knife-beam and a flexible knife-blade attached thereto at its upper edge and having its cuttingedge extending below the beam, of a rigid adjustingbar movably mounted upon the said knifebeam, and resting in contact with the blade and means acting on said adjusting-bar for moving it relatively to the knife-beam, substantially as described.

36. In a cutting-machine, the combination with a knife-beam, of a flexible knife-blade attached near its upper edge to said knifebcam, a rigid adjusting-bar associated with said knife-blade, the same being movably mounted with respect to said knife-beam and means for securing theadjustment of said knife-blade and bar, substantially as described.

27. In a cut'tingmachine, the combination with a knife-beam, of a flexible knife-blade attached near its upper edge to said knifebeam, a rigid adjusting-bar associated with said knife-blade, the same being movably mounted with respect to said knife-beam, means for securing the adjustment of said knife-blade and bar, and a coacting knifeblado disposed at an obtuse interior angle with respect to the flexible knife-blade, substantially as described.

MAURICE SPITZER. r

Witnesses:

if. M. ANDERSEN, t. M. NICHOLS. 

